$1 Note vs  $1 Coin

           There has been quite a bit of discussion among coin/note collectors about the future of the one dollar bill.  You see, the average lifespan of a $1 note is only 18-22 months.  That's less than two years!  The lifespan of a  coin however, is 25 years.

           The cost of a note is roughly 6 cents.  Whereas the cost of a one dollar coin is about 16 cents.

            Keeping this in mind, to keep a one dollar note circulating for 50 years will cost $1.50 (2 year average,
 25 notes printed, at a cost of $0.06).  Keeping a one dollar coin in circulation for 50 years will only cost $0.32.  (25 year average, 2 coins minted, at a cost of $0.16).
            That's a very big difference.  One thing to consider is that is just an example of keeping one dollar in  circuation, realistically, hundreds of thousands of dollars are kept in circulation all the time.  Keeping one dollar  notes in circuation costs 4.7x the amount of keeping coins in circulation.

            Some people may argue that carrying around many one dollar coins is cumbersome and annoying.  That  may be true, if you are carrying a lot of them.  On the other hand, Canada and the United Kingdom use  dollar/pound coins and have been for quite some time.  They seem to get around just find.  I haven't seen  anyone's pants falling down or purse strap breaking because of the weight.

            Another argument I've come across is the vending machine industry.  But as far as I know, many vending  machines now have been outfitted to accept dollar coins - I've also seen them spit them back out if you insert a  $5 bill.  Regardless though, I think the vending machine companies need to deal with what they're dealt, and not  the other way around (i.e. the Gov. dealing with the vending companies).

            I think the dollar coin is the way to go.  It costs less and lasts much longer than the dollar bill.  But people  will continue to use dollar notes as long as they're available.  If they have a choice to go with something they know  and have been using, versus something new, they'll probably stick with what they know.  But if people don't have  a choice, much like in the UK and Canada, they will have to accept it, and when they do, they may realize that it's  not as bad as they once thought.